Tag Archives: Grey-rumped Treeswift

Grey-rumped Treeswift nesting record at Mandai

The Grey-rumped Treeswift (Hemiprocne longipennis) is one of the two species of treeswift recorded in Singapore. The other, the Whiskered Treeswift is a very rare resident that is seldom seen, with only one recent record at Upper Peirce Reservoir in 2011.

The Grey-rumped Treeswift on the other hand is a more common resident in Singapore. They can be found regularly at the Singapore Botanical Gardens, Macritchie Reservoir and recently at Bishan Park. In April/May 2011, there was a nesting record in Mandai which I had a chance to document.

Grey-rumped Treeswift
Both the male and the female take turns to incubate the egg. The nest of the egg is rather small and can only fit in one adult and one egg.

Grey-rumped Treeswift
The male of the species has orange red/chestnut coloured ear coverts that this female lack. Both have an attractive crest.

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